Layered coding of image data using separate data storage tracks on a storage medium

Abstract

A source image is encoded into a base layer and an enhancement layer. The base layer represents a standard definition portion of the source image and the enhancement layer represents a high-resolution portion of the source image. The base layer is stored on a first data storage track of a storage medium, such as a DVD, and the enhancement layer is stored on a second data storage track of the storage medium. The first data storage track may be a default camera angle track and then second data storage track may be a second camera angle track. The data is formatted such that a standard definition device will not read the enhancement layer data. A high-resolution decoding system decodes the base layer and the enhancement layer simultaneously to generate a high-resolution image.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A method comprising: 
       decoding a base layer from a first data storage track of a storage medium, wherein the base layer represents a standard definition portion of an encoded image;  
       decoding an enhancement layer from a second data storage track of the storage medium if the data stored on the second data storage track is identified as enhancement layer data, wherein the enhancement layer data represents a high-resolution portion of the encoded image; and  
       wherein decoding a base layer is performed simultaneously with decoding an enhancement layer.  
     
     
       2. A method as recited in  claim 1  wherein the storage medium is a DVD. 
     
     
       3. A method as recited in  claim 1  wherein the first data storage track is a default camera angle track. 
     
     
       4. A method as recited in  claim 1  wherein the second data storage track is a second camera angle track. 
     
     
       5. A method as recited in  claim 1  further including communicating the base layer to a standard definition television. 
     
     
       6. A method comprising: 
       decoding a base layer from a first data storage track of a storage medium, wherein the base layer represents a standard definition portion of an encoded image;  
       decoding an enhancement layer from a second data storage track of the storage medium if the data stored on the second data storage track is identified as enhancement layer data, wherein the enhancement layer data represents a high-resolution portion of the encoded image; and  
       combining the base layer and the enhancement layer to generate a high-resolution image.  
     
     
       7. A method as recited in  claim 1  wherein the method is executed by a television. 
     
     
       8. A method as recited in  claim 1  wherein the method is executed by a device capable of reading a DVD. 
     
     
       9. One or more computer-readable memories containing a computer program that is executable by a processor to perform the method recited in  claim 1 . 
     
     
       10. An apparatus comprising: 
       a reading device to read base layer data from a first track of a storage medium and to read enhancement layer data from a second track of the storage medium;  
       a decoder coupled to the reading device to decode any encoded data read from the first and second tracks of the storage medium; and  
       a combining module coupled to the decoder and the reading device to combine data read from the first track and data read from the second track into video program data.  
     
     
       11. An apparatus as recited in  claim 10  wherein the apparatus is a device capable of reading a DVD. 
     
     
       12. An apparatus as recited in  claim 10  wherein the apparatus is a computer. 
     
     
       13. An apparatus as recited in  claim 10  wherein the storage medium is a DVD. 
     
     
       14. An apparatus having a reader capable of reading base layer data from a first data storage track of a storage medium and reading enhancement layer data from a second data storage track of the storage medium, the apparatus comprising a combining module coupled to the reader to combine data read from the first data storage track and data read from the second data storage track into video program data. 
     
     
       15. An apparatus as recited in  claim 14  wherein the first data storage track is a default camera angle track. 
     
     
       16. An apparatus as recited in  claim 14  wherein the second data storage track is a second camera angle track. 
     
     
       17. An apparatus as recited in  claim 14  wherein the base layer data represents a standard resolution portion of a source image and the enhancement layer data represents a high-resolution portion of the source image. 
     
     
       18. An apparatus as recited in  claim 14  wherein the combining module generates a high-resolution image. 
     
     
       19. One or more computer-readable media having stored thereon a computer program that, when executed by one or more processors, causes the one or more processors to: 
       decode a base layer from a first camera angle track of a storage medium, wherein the base layer represents a standard definition portion of an encoded image;  
       decode an enhancement layer from a second camera angle track of the storage medium, wherein the enhancement layer represents a high-resolution portion of the encoded image; and  
       wherein the base layer and the enhancement layer are decoded simultaneously.  
     
     
       20. One or more computer-readable media as recited in  claim 19  wherein the storage medium is a DVD. 
     
     
       21. One or more computer-readable media as recited in  claim 19  wherein the first camera angle track is a default camera angle track. 
     
     
       22. One or more computer-readable media as recited in  claim 19  wherein the one or more processors further communicate the base layer to a standard definition display device. 
     
     
       23. One or more computer-readable media having stored thereon a computer program that, when executed by one or more processors, causes the one or more processors to: 
       decode a base layer from a first camera angle track of a storage medium, wherein the base layer represents a standard definition portion of an encoded image;  
       decode an enhancement layer from a second camera angle track of the storage medium, wherein the enhancement layer represents a high-resolution portion of the encoded image; and  
       combine the base layer and the enhancement layer to generate a high-resolution image.  
     
     
       24. A method as recited in  claim 6  wherein the storage medium is a DVD. 
     
     
       25. A method as recited in  claim 6  wherein the first data storage track is a default camera angle track. 
     
     
       26. A method as recited in  claim 6  wherein the second data storage track is a second camera angle track. 
     
     
       27. A method as recited in  claim 6  further including communicating the base layer to a standard definition television. 
     
     
       28. A method as recited in  claim 6  wherein the method is executed by a television. 
     
     
       29. A method as recited in  claim 6  wherein the method is executed by a device capable of reading a DVD. 
     
     
       30. One or more computer-readable memories containing a computer program that is executable by a processor to perform the method recited in  claim 6 .